Vulcanizing rubber soles to fabric or other uppers



Feb. 28,V 1928.

F. NIELSEN `VULCIANIZIINGr RUBBER SOLES TO FABRIC OR OTHER UPPERS Filed March 5. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 28, 1928.

Filed March I5. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 28, 1928.

F. NIELSEN VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES TO FABRIC OR OTHER UPPERS Filed March 5. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 wir@ [m/enfr: Ffedy lik Nie/sen I Per WM Feb. 28, 1928.

F. NIELsEN VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES TO FABRIC OR OTHER UPIRERS Filed'Maron s. 192'? 4 sheets-sheet 4 UNITED STATES Erica.

FREDERIK NI'ELSEN, 'or ErrINe, NEAR SYDNEY, Naw sourn WALES, AUSTRALIA.

VULCANIZING IRFU'IBIBER SOLES T0 r/EAIBRIC 0R OTHER UPPEBS.

Application led March 3, 1927, Serial No.

This invention relates to improvements in theprocess ofvul'canizing rubber soles to fabric uppers and to apparatus for carrying same into effect.

'In the manufacture heretofore of this class of boot or shoe, in which a flexible rubber bag has been employed on which the upper was mounted, it has presented an ir. regular shape, and, when placedin position and the shoe mould closed,\ it was' obscured from view. Consequently, any creases,

which frequently occur, cannot be smoothed out by iniiating the bag,fand the raw rubber frequently extends beyond the sole top ridge adhering to the sides of the upper leaving an unsightly appearance. Further, the shoe mouldrowingfto the large surface and uneven distribution of metal not necessary for acf tual making of sole,loses considerable heat by radiation.

The fobject of the present invention is to effect improvements in the manufacture of footwear of the aforementioned kind and is particularly directed to a method and means 25 whereby creases of the upper are obviated f and disigurement of the upper by rubber extruding beyond the sole ridge prevented.

According to my invention I attach fabric or other uppers to their insole by stitching,

riveting or the like leaving the toe and heel v part open as the same cannot economicallybe stitched to make a clos'e fit without creases.V

By having the comparatively straight- S sidesof the shoe stitched orv otherwise secured it makes the solutioning down of the curved toe and heel piece to the insole a simple matter. Besides, it ensures addif tional stability to the structure. i

An important point at this stage fof the process is that the shoe or boot is presented tothe sole mould on the same last as that on which it was first mounted for lasting.' thus eliminating unnecessary handling. and

preventing probable distortion of solutioned 172,483, and'in Australia March 17, 1928.

air or steam is turned on and vulcanization takes place from inside of the shoe as well as from outside the sole and by so doing makes Athe upperand insole become inseparable from the sole rubber without in any way over-vulcanizing the base of the sole as is the case with some methods where the sole is vulcanized only from the base.`

It will be seen that the vulcanization of moulding some rubber compounds than isv obtainable from the vulcanizer. To meet th1s demand the vulcanizer and diaphragm may be supplied direct from the one boiler,

a reducing valve being inserted in the pipe leading to vulcanizer. Although the heat radiating from the diaphragm is reduced in `temperature by passing through a loose steel sole plate and also through the fabric insole, before coming in contact with the rubber, such a reduction is essential in the case of steam. If the reduction is found to beinsufiicient a further reduction may be obtained by having the loose steel sole. plate made in two layers and a suitable piece of insulationmaterial inserted between same,

The special purpose of the loose sole plate, furthermore, is to distribute an even presl sure from the diaphragm to the .extreme heel and toe part, where it-isdesired the sole shall adhere.

[After vulcanization the steam orair inlet valve is shut of and the exhaust valve opened. WhereuponA the `diaphragm automatically conforms to its" original dimensions.

With this process there is a'minimum of handling resulting in reduced cost of pro? duction as the upper is not touched by hand from the time it is mounted onv the last until it is removed as a finished article, "consequently the very unsatisfactory method- 0f solutioning the wholeof the upper to the insole is obviated.

It is well known in the rubber trade Ithat a satisfactory result cannot be obtained by vulcanizing from one side only, single side vulcanization being mostly suitable where the article is screwed to a base as in the case of rubber mats for motor cars and the like.

scale of the outer bearings for the operating shafts.

Figure 7 is an elevation partly in section of the last-"diaphragm and sole plate.

'Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a plan of the sole plate.

Figurejl is a detail view of the means provided for adjusting the' vertical member to which the last supporting lever is pivoted.

Figure11 is a plan showing the means for hinging the last supporting lever.

vFigure 12 is an elevation thereof.

Figure 13 is a section of the lever on the line 13-13 of Figurev12.

Figure 14 is a section on theline 14--14 of Figure 13.

The machine is provided with a frame 15 upon which the lower half ofthe vulcanizer is mounted. This vulcanizer consists of a lower or water chamber 16 and an upper portion or hot plate 17 upon which one or more sets of moulds are mounted.

Ordinarily, the vulcanizer is supplied by Steam from a boiler, but it may also be heated direct by gas and provision in such case may be made for increasing the heating surface by corrugating the bottom ofthe vulcanizer. Heat insulating material may be placed round` the vulcanizer todretain the heat. l

A gauge glass safety valve and pressure. gaugeas well asmeans for supplying feed water are provided on the lower. portion 16 which alsohas a pair of brackets or arms 18 for supporting the operating parts of the machine.

A vertical member 19 is pivoted to each bracket 18 and is adjustable in a vertical plane by a tie rod'20 which passes through\ pivoted. i The arm.

an eye or lug 21,. (see Figure 10,) bolted to the member 19, the tie rod being screwed and provided with adjusting nuts on each sideof the lug or eye.

To the vertical member 19 an arm 22 is pivoted. This arm supports the last and is formed at each end of I section material connected at the centre by cover plates 55 (see Figures 12 and 13). In the slot formed by the cover plates the extension '32 of the last 22 terminates at the pivot/56 and has a lug 57 (see Figure14) upon which an extension arm 58 is mounted concentrically with the pivot pin 56. Relative/movement between the lever 22 and extension 58 is governed by a pin or stop 54 on the arm 22 engaging a shoulder 59 on the,l extension arm 58.

A spring 24 connected to the extension arm 58 and to a slotted extension plate 61 of the bracket 18, raises the arm 22 and'last 23 when the hinged lever or swing bolt 27 is removed fromthe'end of the arm 22. V

On pulling the cord 62 the arm 22 and last 23 are moved through part of a circle by an overhead lever 60 and cord 61 into a position at the rear of the machine where the finished shoe is removed from the last and a fresh upper mounted thereon.

A O11 again pulling the cord 62 the arm 22 ,is returned to its original position withthe last above the mould but not in contact with same. The foot lever 26 is now pressed with the result that the rod `25 raises the extension arm 58 against the action of the spring 24l and allows the last to enter the mouldthereupon the hinged or swing bolt 27l is placed in position on the arm 22 to secure it.

The hinged lever or swing bolt'27 on being placed on the arm 22 engages it at first lightly, but later on raising the handle the lever 27 exerts greater pressure between the last and' the mould. Adjustment of the hinged lever or swing bolt is effected by `a sleeve 28 and right and left hand threads.

The last 23 is made of cost iron or the like and. is hollowed out at its base to receive'a Strip of'irsulation 29, a `metal or other diaphragm 30 and a steel insole 31. A cover plate 65 extends from the foot portion to the heel portion of the last. The hollowed'out portion of the last extends to within a short distance of the toe piece where a narrow ridge is left to assist in keeping the toe part of the upper free from creas` ing. v

The last has an extension 32 by which it is pivoted in'a balanced position to a horizontal member22-and is given a parallel motion when leaving the mould by being ,connected by a link 33.

The last is further extended in a horizontal direction in the form of-an arm 34 to which llU.

the heel portion of the last is pivoted. This heel part has been detached from the last in order Lto make it shoe to be remove The heelportion of the last is provided with a combination lever consisting of one' possible .for the finished inner sole, but is somewhat shorter than the heel and toe pieces ofthe last as shown in .Figure 7, and consists of two sheets of metal,

. and to carry the vulcanized shoe clear of the sole mould int-o a suitable position for the removal of the sole late.

Thelast on rising trom the mould is given a parallel, motion derived from the link 33, one end ot which contains an eccentric i' bearing 63 for adjustment, the other end r. l sole havinea roller which normally rests against a hook 64 on the end of the vertical member 19. The parallel motion continues until the fork shaped last arm 34 makes contact with the arm 22. The roller on the link 33 eventually engages a slot 40 on the opposite side ot the pivot ot the lever 19, and brings the last to a stop in a reversed position. L

A sole plate 41 having fiat extension pieces 42 is placed in the bottom et the mould. The extension pieces 42 serve to centralize the sole plate in the mould to protect vits corners from damage when it is being replaced on hot plate, and to provide means for removing it from the finished shoe.

rllhe moulds 43 rest on the hot plate and are built up in sets according to sizes ot boots and shoes. To the mould lplates proper (see Figure 8) a thin steel plate 44 is secured. This slightly over-hangs the edge of the mould plates and makes a close joint all round the upper and against the loose steel` soleplate, and prevents the raw rubber entering onto the surface of the upper. Be-` tween the steel plate 44 and the guide plates 45 a sheet of insulating material 46 is placed. plate 4l completes the bottom of the mould. v

Each mould section is provided with racks 47 adapted to be engaged by pinions 48 mounted on shafts 49 and simultaneaously operated by toothed quadrants 50 from a( hand lever 51 pivoted to a brackety machine frame. A. separate hand lever 5l is provided for each set of moulds and as many moulds as desired may be arramged side by side on 'one vulcanizer. The outer bearings for the shafts 49 are split (see-'Figure 6) so as to enable the moulds to be changed. A wedge or the like is provided between the shaft 49i and the moulds to ensure that the latter will make contact with the hot plate of the vulcanizer.

The hand levers 51 for -operating the moulds are pivoted 4to a ratchet toothed bracketl 52 secured to the machine frame. bell crank extension of the lever 51 isconnected by an arm 53 to the toothed quadrant 50. A pawl 66 is 'provided for retaining-the hand lever 51 in any desired4 position.

' To enable the last l23 and horizontal member 22 to he rotated through part of a circle without interfering with the supply pipes 38-39, a .stuiiing box 67 is mounted on the pivot pin 56 to which thev air or steam is conducted through a hole in'the pivot pin. The uppers are made in the usual manner and an insole is attached by sewing or 'rivets or the like. By this meansV the shape of the boot or shoe is practically determined before any solutioning 'down is applied. The toe and heel portions are left `open for solutioning as this is the most practical and expeditious means 'of getting out the creases. Bearing in mind that the lskirt portions ot the upper, bent round on to the insole must v be comparatively narrow1 so as to avoid creases, the stitching or other means ol securing the main part of the upper to the insole, overcomes a decided disability. By having it thus secured, the combined upper and insole may for all practical purposes be considered one solid structure when vulcanizing the rubber sole on to the same.

lThe importance of this will be realized because with solutioning down processes of securing uppers thereis a great liability of the parts .becoming detached especially .where-'canvas is secured to canvas, "as when the upper the insole.

In operationa steely insole isirst placed in the combined upper andv insole which are then mounted on the last after. which the heel and toe portions are solutioned down.

portion is wholly solut-ioned to The sole surface having been prepared the mounted upper is now rotated through part ont a circle and positioned Valcove its respective monld,`.being held in that position by the tensioning spring. By pressing the foot pedal the last and horizontal member descends 'on to the sole mould, the same having previously been closed and unvulcanized rubber placed therein. The lever or swing bolt is now brought into position and the handle raised. The exhaust valve from the diaphragm having been left open, the inlet valve is slowly opened to admitsteam. A few 'drops of water due to condensation will trickle out of the exhaust pipe and as soon as this stops, and steam is observed the exhaust Vvalve is shut. After a predetermined time the steam valve is shut olif and the exhaust valve opened.

The mould is now opened by its operat-' llU ing lever and the hand lever removed from f the horizontal lever supporting the last.

`The horizontal lever and shoe' now rise under the action of the spring: the sole plate is struck olf and removedfor cleanin The overhead lever is now operated by .its pull cord to bring the shoe to the reversed posit-ion on the opposite side-l of the machine -in order that it may be removed from' the last after lirst operating the hand lever provided for contracting the heel portion of the last.

l claim:

-l. A machine for constructing rubber soled boots or shoes-having fabrlc up ers wherein the up er is under observation y uring, the whole of the period of vulcaniza tion, comprising a. vulcanizer, mould plate mounted'therein and bracket arms extending therefrom, a vertical member adjustably i pivoted to said brackets, a hinged horizontal lever pivoted thereto adapted tov pivotally support a last, an adjustable locking lever pivoted to said vulcanizer and adapted to secure the horizontal lever and last with respect to the mould, means for opening andclosing said mould and operating means for said horizontal lever.

2. VA machine for constructing rubber soled boots or slioesliaving fabric luppers wherein the upper is under observation during the whole of the period of vulcanization comprising a vulcanizer, a mould thereon said mould being divided centrally, and

slidable on saidv vulcanizerby m'eans of' i .toothed quadrants and rack and pinion gear operated by a hand lever, a hinged horizontal lever carrying-a1 last',said last having.

a foot portion and a heel portion movable wit-l1 respect to each other, a cover' plate between the heel and foot portion of the last,

la recess in; the base of said last, a strip of insulating material therein, a diaphragm beneath said insulation, inlet and outlet pipes connecting said diaphragm', and operating leverand a locking lever for said heel portions'.

3. In a machine for constructing rubbersoled boots or shoes having fabric uppers wherein the upper is under observation during the whole`of4 the period of vulcanizacontact with the hot plate, the mould being completed by a sole plate.

4. ln a machine for constructing rubber soled boots or shoes having fabric uppers wherein the upper is under observation during the whole of the vulcanizing period, a

'hinged lever adapted to support a last, said.

hinged lever .being adapted to be rotated through an. .angle of approximately 1800 and whose movement is such that at first the last rises from the mould with a parallel motion. l

5. In a machine for constructing rubber soled boots or'shoes having fabric uppers v wherein the upper is under observation during the whole of the vulcanizing period, a hinged lever adapted to support a last, said 'hinged lever having an extension concentrically pivoted with the main lever and connected by a spring to a pivoted and slotted extension of the vulcanizer-bracket and adapted to be raised by a foot lever, .said hinged lever being provided with means for operating and locking the heel portion of the last, said last being ,pivoted to the,

hinged lever andhaving an extension eccentrically connected to a link Whose opposite end normally rests against al hook on theend of the member to which the hinged leveriis pivoted.

In testimony `whereof I have .hereuntoI set my hand. i

FREDERIK NIELsEN." 

